Programmable logic controllers, or PLCs, are used to automate processes in industry. In the 1960’s, the computerized processor replaced the relay logic control system. With the widespread use […]
It’s estimated that 50 to 70 percent of all vibration problems in machines are caused by misalignment. Rotating equipment, such as pumps and motors, are found in virtually every type of industrial environment and when the centerlines of their rotating shafts don’t match up perfectly, it can lead to wasted power, accelerated component wear, and [...]
On June 11, 2008, work was being performed on a heat exchanger in a Goodyear Tire manufacturing plant in Houston, TX. During the course of the work, the relief valve and the pressure control valve were isolated from the system. Without the control valve, the pressure in the heat exchanger rose past the safe operating [...]
In the modern industrial age, pumps have become ever present in our daily lives. From the simple and mundane task of filling your car with gas, to the crucial task of dialysis for people suffering from kidney failure, pumps are essential to the modern lifestyle. As there are many different applications that pumps are used [...]
It’s getting close to summer, the weather is getting warmer, and who doesn’t love a good pub lunch to break up the monotony of the daily grind? Great weather and a new brewpub that just opened up near my office, was screaming mid-day getaway. I wouldn’t label myself as a craft beer connoisseur, but I do enjoy tasting [...]
Establishing and maintaining a sound chemical safety policy not only saves human lives and protects the environment but also avoids fines and penalties. Any activity involving chemicals must be done in a manner that complies with predetermined and approved procedures that ensure the protection of company personnel, the environment and the community. Chemical safety rules [...]
Control valves must be selected for their intended application, and advantages must be weighed against limitations to ensure that the correct valve is selected. Different valve types are suited to perform different duties while valve characteristics, including fluid flow, shut off, and noise, can be manipulated by choosing specific valve components. When installing a control [...]
Actually it is thousands of years old, depending on how you define it. “Blended learning” was all the rage in articles, research, and a buzz phrase for marketing materials in the last decade mainly driven by the technology advances in the delivery of online media. Unfortunately, many people in both the corporate and educational worlds [...]
As if coming up with original content for your eLearning courses is not enough, it’s good to keep in mind the necessity of delivering the content in a way that will entice and engage the learner. Many eLearning developers or designers face this problem. Creating online courses that keep the learner intrigued and wanting more [...]
This article describes a common detection problems encountered in automated material handling equipment that are easily solvable. How many times have technicians replaced a supposedly defective photoeye only to discover that the replacement did not fix the problem? All too often, the standard practice in many maintenance organizations is to crank up the gain on [...]
